Our Approach
Treatment goals at Side by Side ABA Therapy are selected for their relevance to the child’s quality of life, including functional communication, independence, safety, social participation, and well-being. Goals intended solely to make a child appear more typical, such as requiring sustained eye contact or eliminating harmless repetitive behavior, are not prioritized.
Repetitive behaviors, often referred to as stimming, may serve important self-regulatory functions. Intervention targeting such behaviors is considered only when they present a risk of harm or significantly interfere with learning, safety, or participation. All modes of communication, including vocal speech, sign, picture exchange, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, are respected and supported.
Goals are developed collaboratively with caregivers and, as developmentally appropriate, with the child.
Supporting Evidence
- Wolf (1978) established the principle of social validity, holding that the goals, procedures, and outcomes of behavioral intervention should be judged acceptable and important by the individuals they affect. This principle remains foundational to applied behavior analysis.
- In a qualitative study of 32 autistic adults, Kapp et al. (2019) found that stimming frequently serves as an adaptive means of self-regulation and emotional expression, and participants generally opposed interventions aimed at eliminating it.
- The BACB Ethics Code requires behavior analysts to treat clients with compassion, dignity, and respect, to promote self-determination (Core Principle 2), and to involve clients and stakeholders in goal selection (Standard 2.09).
- Leaf et al. (2022) reviewed concerns related to goal selection in ABA-based intervention and offered recommendations for practice.
References
- Wolf, M. M. (1978). Social validity: The case for subjective measurement or how applied behavior analysis is finding its heart. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 11(2), 203–214. doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1978.11-203
- Kapp, S. K., Steward, R., Crane, L., Elliott, D., Elphick, C., Pellicano, E., & Russell, G. (2019). “People should be allowed to do what they like”: Autistic adults’ views and experiences of stimming. Autism, 23(7). doi.org/10.1177/1362361319829628
- Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts. www.bacb.com/ethics-information/ethics-codes/
- Leaf, J. B., et al. (2022). Concerns about ABA-based intervention: An evaluation and recommendations. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9114057/
This information is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical or clinical advice. Each child’s treatment plan is developed by a Board Certified Behavior Analyst following an individualized assessment. For questions, contact info@sidebysideabatherapy.com.